Modular fluid heat exchange systems

ABSTRACT

A modular heat exchange assembly includes a cold plate defining a finned surface and a corresponding plurality of microchannels. Selected ones of the plurality of microchannel extend from a first end to an opposed second end. A fluid receiver unit defines an inlet port and a first fluid connector fluidically coupled with the inlet port. A fluid transfer unit defines an outlet port and a second fluid connector matingly engageable with and disengageable from the first fluid connector to fluidly couple the fluid receiver unit and the fluid transfer unit together. The fluid transfer unit defines a distribution manifold configured to distribute coolant among the selected microchannels at a position between the first ends and the second ends of the selected microchannels. The fluid transfer unit further defines a collection manifold configured to receive coolant from the selected microchannels. The collection manifold and the outlet port are fluidically coupled together.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/326,185, filed May 20, 2021, which patentapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as fullyas if reproduced in whole herein, for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The innovations and related subject matter disclosed herein(collectively referred to as the “disclosure”) generally pertain tomodular fluid heat exchange systems. Some systems are described inrelation to electronics cooling applications by way of example, thoughthe disclosed innovations may be used in a variety of otherapplications.

Fluid heat exchange systems and associated components are used to coolelectronic and other devices by accepting and dissipating thermal energytherefrom.

Such systems seek to dissipate to a fluid passing there through, thermalenergy communicated to them from a heat source, e.g., an electronic orother device.

Despite the existence of many previously proposed fluid heat exchangesystems, there remains a need for heat exchange systems configured toprovide improved thermal performance. As well, there remains a need forsystems configured for existing and developing small form factors, andmore particularly to systems with modular and/or interchangeablecomponents.

SUMMARY

Some fluid heat exchange systems described herein include an assembly ofa fluid receiver unit, a fluid transfer unit, and a cold plate that aredetachably engageable with each other. Such component heat exchangeassemblies can be configurable or reconfigurable by permitting one ormore of the assembly components to be replaced with a different versionof the replaced assembly component. For example, one fluid receiver unitmay include a pump assembly, and may be substituted by or for adifferent fluid receiver unit, e.g., having a more powerful pumpassembly or no pump assembly at all according to an intended use.Similarly, one cold plate can be swapped out for a different cold plateto satisfy any number of design requirements (e.g., cooling capacity,cost, form factor) for a given system. The innovations disclosed hereinovercome many problems in the prior art and address the aforementionedor other needs.

The innovations disclosed herein pertain generally to fluid heatexchange systems and associated component heat exchange assemblies, andmore particularly, but not exclusively, to approaches for providingmodular, interchangeable components in such systems and assemblies. Asbut one example, some innovations are directed to features of a housingfor a fluid receiver unit and a housing for a fluid transfer unit thatare so complementarily contoured relative to each other that thefeatures, and thus the housings, are sealingly engageable with eachother.

According a disclosed aspect, a modular heat exchange assembly includesa fluid receiver unit, a fluid transfer unit, and a cold plate. Thefluid receiver unit can have a receiver housing defining an inlet portand a first fluid connector fluidically coupled with the inlet port. Thefirst fluid connector can define a corresponding first aperture.

The fluid transfer unit can have a transfer housing defining an outletport and a second fluid connector. The second fluid connector can definea corresponding second aperture and the second fluid connector can bematingly engageable with and disengageable from the first fluidconnector to fluidly couple the first aperture and the second aperturetogether, defining a segment of a fluid passageway leading from thefluid receiver unit to the fluid transfer unit.

The cold plate can be coupled with the fluid transfer unit. The coldplate can define a finned surface having a plurality of microchannels.For example, the cold plate can define a plurality of fins and acorresponding plurality of microchannels between adjacent fins. Selectedones of the plurality of microchannels can extend from a first end to anopposed second end.

The fluid transfer unit can define a distribution manifold fluidicallycoupled with the second aperture and configured to distribute coolantreceived from the fluid passageway among the selected microchannels at aposition between the first ends and the second ends of themicrochannels. A collection manifold can be configured to receivecoolant from the selected microchannels. The collection manifold and theoutlet port can be fluidically coupled together.

The fluid receiver unit can include a pump having an inlet fluidicallycoupled with the inlet port and an outlet fluidically coupled with thefirst aperture of the first fluid connector.

The inlet port can be fluidically coupled with the first aperture of thefirst fluid connector.

The fluid receiver unit can define a pump volute having an inletfluidically coupled with the inlet port and an outlet fluidicallycoupled with the first aperture of the first fluid connector.

The transfer housing can define a first major side and an opposed secondmajor side. The first major side can define the second fluid connectorand the second major side can define a recessed ceiling. The modularheat exchange assembly can also include a manifold insert defining afirst major surface, an opposed second major surface defining thedistribution manifold, and a fluid conduit extending through themanifold insert from the first major surface to the distributionmanifold. The first major surface can mate with the recessed ceiling andthe fluid conduit can fluidly couple with the fluid passageway leadingfrom the fluid receiver unit to the fluid transfer unit.

The modular heat exchange assembly can also include a manifold plateoverlying the finned surface. The manifold plate can define an apertureextending transversely relative to the plurality of fins. The manifoldplate and the manifold insert can be matingly engageable with andseparable from each other. In another embodiment, the manifold plate andthe manifold insert are integrally formed together.

According to another aspect, a cold plate defines a finned surface witha corresponding plurality of microchannels. For example, the cold platecan define a plurality of fins and a corresponding plurality ofmicrochannels positioned between adjacent fins. Selected ones (e.g., allor fewer than all) of the microchannels extend from a first end to anopposed second end. A fluid receiver unit defines an inlet port and afirst fluid connector fluidically coupled with the inlet port. A fluidtransfer unit defines an outlet port and a second fluid connector beingmatingly engageable with and disengageable from the first fluidconnector to fluidly couple the fluid receiver unit and the fluidtransfer unit together. The fluid transfer unit defines a distributionmanifold configured to distribute coolant among the selectedmicrochannels at a position between the first ends and the second endsof the microchannels. The fluid transfer unit also defines a collectionmanifold configured to receive coolant from the plurality ofmicrochannels. The collection manifold and the outlet port arefluidically coupled with each other.

The fluid receiver unit can be positioned opposite the cold platerelative to the fluid transfer unit. The first fluid connector candefine an aperture and the fluid receiver unit can define a matingsurface facing the fluid transfer unit and extending around theaperture.

The fluid receiver unit can also define a plurality of wall segments.Each wall segment can extend partially around the aperture of the firstfluid connector, defining a segmented wall. A portion of the matingsurface can extend outwardly of the segmented wall and between adjacentwall segments.

The aperture can be a first aperture and the mating surface can be afirst mating surface. The second fluid connector can define acorresponding second aperture and the fluid transfer unit can define asecond mating surface corresponding to the first mating surface andextending around the second aperture. The first aperture and the secondaperture can be aligned with each other when the fluid receiver unit andthe fluid transfer unit are matingly engaged with each other.

A gasket can be positioned between the first mating surface and thesecond mating surface, sealing the fluid connection between the firstfluid connector and the second fluid connector.

The fluid transfer unit can define a wall extending around a perimeterof the second aperture. The modular heat exchange assembly can alsoinclude a seal or other gasket positioned around the wall. The seal canurge against the first mating surface when the fluid receiver unit andthe fluid transfer unit are matingly engaged with each other.

The wall defined by the fluid transfer unit can be a first wall. Thefluid transfer unit can also define a second wall positioned outward ofand extending around the first wall, defining a gap between the firstwall and the second wall. The seal can be positioned in the gap.

The second wall can include an end region and an end face. The end facecan define a portion of the second mating surface. The fluid receiverunit can also define a plurality of wall segments. Each wall segment canextend partially around the aperture of the first fluid connector todefine a segmented wall around the aperture of the first fluidconnector. The segmented wall can extend around the portion of thesecond mating surface defined by the end face and can overlap with theend region of the second wall when the fluid receiver unit and the fluidtransfer unit are matingly engaged with each other.

The portion of the second mating surface defined by the end face of thesecond wall can be a first portion of the second mating surface. Thefluid transfer unit can define a rib extending outward of the secondwall, the rib defining a second portion of the second mating surface. Aportion of the first mating surface can extend between adjacent wallsegments outwardly of the segmented wall. The portion of the firstmating surface can face the second portion of the second mating surfacewhen the fluid receiver unit and the fluid transfer unit are matinglyengaged with each other.

The fluid receiver unit can define a wall extending around a perimeterof the first aperture. The modular heat exchange assembly can alsoinclude a seal positioned around the wall. The seal can urge against thesecond mating surface when the fluid receiver unit and the fluidtransfer unit are matingly engaged with each other.

The wall defined by the fluid receiver unit can be a first wall. Thefluid receiver unit can define a second wall positioned outward of andextending around the first wall defining a gap between the first walland the second wall. The seal can be positioned in the gap.

The second wall can have an end region and an end face. The end face candefine a portion of the first mating surface. The fluid transfer unitcan also define a plurality of wall segments. Each wall segment canextend partially around the second aperture to define a segmented wallaround the second aperture. The segmented wall can extend around theportion of the first mating surface defined by the end face and canoverlap with the end region of the second wall when the fluid receiverunit and the fluid transfer unit are matingly engaged with each other.

The portion of the first mating surface defined by the end face of thesecond wall can be a first portion of the first mating surface. Thefluid receiver unit can define a rib extending outward of the secondwall. The rib can define a second portion of the first mating surface. Aportion of the second mating surface can extend between adjacent wallsegments outwardly of the segmented wall. The portion of the secondmating surface can face the second portion of the first mating surfacewhen the fluid receiver unit and the fluid transfer unit are matinglyengaged with each other.

The fluid receiver unit can define a pump volute. The fluid receiver candefine a fluid conduit fluidically coupling the inlet port with thefirst fluid connector.

It is to be understood that other innovative aspects will become readilyapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, wherein various embodiments are shown and described by wayof illustration. As will be realized, other and different embodimentsare possible and several details are capable of modification in variousother respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of theprinciples disclosed herein.

Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the several views and this specification, aspects ofpresently disclosed principles are illustrated by way of example, andnot by way of limitation.

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a modular component heat exchangeassembly having a fluid receiver unit and a fluid transfer unit coupledtogether.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric exploded view of the modular component heatexchange assembly shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view from below the fluid receiver unit shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 .

FIG. 4 shows an exploded isometric view from above a portion of thecomponent heat exchange assembly shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 shows an exploded isometric view from below the portion of thecomponent heat exchange assembly shown in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 shows another exploded isometric view of the component heatexchange assembly shown in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 7A shows an isometric view of an example of a manifold insert platewith a top layer removed to facilitate viewing internal components.

FIG. 7B shows an isometric view of an example of a compliant member of amanifold insert.

FIG. 8 shows another exploded isometric view of the component heatexchange assembly shown in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 9 shows a section view of the fluid receiver unit 102 along lineI-I shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .

FIG. 10 shows a section view of the fluid transfer unit 104 along lineII-II of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of a fluid receiver unit having a top capcut away to facilitate viewing internal components.

FIG. 12A shows a section view along line III-III of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 12B shows a section view along line IV-IV of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic fluid circuit diagram through an active fluidreceiver unit and a fluid transfer unit.

FIG. 14 shows a second schematic fluid circuit diagram through a passivefluid receiver unit and a fluid transfer unit.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a transfer housing and a heat sink.

FIG. 16 shows the heat sink of FIG. 15 removed from the transferhousing, exposing a compliant member of a manifold insert.

FIG. 17 shows the compliant member removed from the transfer housing andpositioned alongside the heat sink.

FIG. 18 shows the compliant member and a plate of the manifold insert.

FIG. 19 shows the plate of the manifold insert of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 20 shows an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of anactive fluid receiver unit.

FIG. 21 shows an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of a fluidtransfer unit configured to matingly engage with the fluid receiver unitshown in FIG. 20 .

FIG. 22 shows an exploded view of a portion of a component heat exchangeassembly including the fluid receiver unit shown in FIG. 20 and thefluid transfer unit shown in FIG. 21 .

FIG. 23 shows another exploded view of the portion of the component heatexchange assembly shown in FIG. 22 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes various innovative principles related to modularheat exchange systems by way of reference to specific examples. However,one or more of the disclosed principles can be incorporated in varioussystem configurations to achieve any of a variety of correspondingsystem characteristics. The detailed description set forth below inconnection with the appended drawings is intended as a description ofvarious embodiments and is not intended to represent the onlyembodiments contemplated by the inventor. The detailed descriptionincludes specific details for the purpose of providing a comprehensiveunderstanding of the principles disclosed herein. However, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing this disclosurethat one or more of the claimed inventions may be practiced without oneor more of the illustrated details.

Stated differently, systems described in relation to particularconfigurations, applications, or uses, are merely examples of systemsincorporating one or more of the innovative principles disclosed hereinand are used to illustrate one or more innovative aspects of thedisclosed principles. Thus, modular heat exchange systems havingattributes that are different from those specific examples discussedherein can embody one or more of the innovative principles, and can beused in applications not described herein in detail, for example totransfer heat to or from components in a data center, laser components,light-emitting diodes, chemical reactions, photovoltaic cells, solarcollectors, electronic components, power electronics, opto-electronics(e.g., used in switches) and a variety of other industrial, military andconsumer devices now known or hereafter developed. Accordingly, suchalternative embodiments also fall within the scope of this disclosure.

I. Overview

A fluid heat exchange system can have a fluid circuit that includes acomponent heat exchange assembly configured to thermally couple with aheat source, such as for example a computer processor. The componentheat exchange assembly can be configured to absorb heat from the heatsource and to transfer the heat to a liquid coolant passing through thecomponent heat exchange assembly. A conduit can convey the heated liquidto a second heat exchanger configured to reject heat from the liquid toanother medium, such as, for example, atmospheric air or another coolingliquid (e.g., facility water) that carries the rejected heat to anultimate heat sink (e.g., the atmosphere or the earth). A pump maycirculate the fluid throughout the fluid circuit, and the fluid circuitmay include more than one component heat exchange assembly.

For instance, the fluid heat exchange system may be designed to cool asingle processor of a single computer system. In this embodiment, thefluid heat exchange system can include but one component heat exchangeassembly. In another embodiment, a fluid heat exchange system can beinstalled in a rack of servers (or more than one rack of servers). Inthis other embodiment, the fluid heat exchange system can include aplurality of component heat exchange assemblies. U.S. Pat. No. 9,496,200(hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes)describes fluid heat exchange systems having a plurality of componentheat exchange modules. U.S. Pat. No. 9,453,691 (hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety for all purposes) describes embodiments ofcomponent heat exchange modules.

Some component heat exchange assemblies include an integrated pump andothers do not. As an example, a component heat exchange assembly thatincorporates an integrated pump may be substituted for a component heatexchange module that has an integrated pump as described in the '200patent and the '691 patent. U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,330 (hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety for all purposes) describes a fluid heatexchanger that does not include a pump. As another example, a componentheat exchange assembly that does not incorporate an integrated pump maybe substituted for fluid heat exchanger as described in the '330 patent

A manufacturer or other supplier of fluid heat exchange systems orcomponents typically faces a variety of cooling and other requirementsfrom its customers. For example, one customer's computer system mayrequire more or less cooling than another customer's computer system, orone rack of servers may be less populated or have a lower capacity thananother rack of servers. Accordingly, the manufacturer or supplier maywish to select one from among a variety of standard pumps (or no pump)to combine with one of a variety of standard cold plates to tailor thecooling capacity or pump performance to the requirements of the systemin which the component heat exchange assembly will be used. By selectingfrom standardized parts and assembling the selected parts into acomponent heat exchange module, overall costs can be reduced compared tobespoke designs while maintaining flexibility to tailor cooling andfluid delivery capacities to each customer's needs.

Accordingly, modular heat exchange systems are described herein thatprovide separate, matingly engageable and disengageable units thatpermit component heat exchange modules to be reconfigured with differentpumps (or no pump) and cold plates independently of each other.

As used herein, “fluidic” means of or pertaining to a fluid (e.g., agas, a liquid, a mixture of a liquid phase and a gas phase, etc.). Thus,two regions that are “fluidically coupled” are so coupled to each otheras to permit a fluid to flow from one of the regions to the other regionin response to a pressure gradient between the regions.

As used herein, the terms “working fluid” and “coolant” areinterchangeable. Although many formulations of working fluids arepossible, common formulations include distilled water, ethylene glycol,propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the terms “heat sink” and “cold plate” areinterchangeable and mean a device configured to transfer energy to afluid from a device that dissipates heat (or from a fluid to a devicethat absorbs heat) through convection (i.e., a combination of conductionand advection) heat transfer.

II. Modular Heat Exchange System Example

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 , aspects of a modular component heatexchange assembly 100 are described. Modular heat exchange assembly 100includes a fluid receiver unit 102, a fluid transfer unit 104, and acold plate unit 106. Fluid receiver unit 102 has a receiver housing 110,which may define an inlet port 112. Fluid transfer unit 104 has atransfer housing 140, which may define an outlet port 142. The housing110 of the fluid receiver 102 may have one or more structures thatcorrespond to one or more complementary structures defined by thehousing 140 of the fluid transfer unit 104, permitting the two units102, 104 to be coupled together, e.g., fluidically coupled together. Insome embodiments, the units 102, 104 can also be removably coupled witheach other (e.g., may be disengageable from each other after beingassembled together). Similarly, the housing 140 may have one or morestructures that correspond to one or more complementary structuresdefined by the cold plate unit 106, permitting the fluid transfer unit104 and the cold plate unit 106 to be fluidically coupled together.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the fluid receiver unit 102 and fluid transfer unit104 are coupled with each other, and the cold plate unit 106 is coupledwith the transfer unit 104. When so coupled, the inlet port 112 and theoutlet port 142 may be fluidically coupled with each other such thatfluid entering the assembly 100 at the inlet port 112 can exit thesystem 100 at the outlet port 142, after passing along one or moreinternal fluid passageways defined by the assembled component heatexchange assembly 100. The one or more internal fluid passageways caninclude a plurality of microchannels defined by the cold plate unit 106where heat transfer occurs.

The receiver housing 110 and the transfer housing 140, or both, may beformed using, for example, a molding technique (e.g., injection molding,compression molding, transfer molding), a 3-D printing technique, anextrusion technique, a machining technique, or other suitable processnow known or hereafter developed. The housings 110, 140, or both may bemade from one or more materials that provide a sufficiently rigidstructure to resist structural deformation under operating conditionsand that resist thermal expansions and contractions that could loosenfluidic connections and/or cause leakage. For example, common materialsfrom which an injection-molded housing can be formed includepolyphenylene sulfide (commonly referred to as “PPS”),polytetrafluoroethylene (commonly referred to as “PTFE” or the tradename TEFLON by the DuPont Company), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(commonly referred to as “ABS”).

In the exploded view of FIG. 2 , fluid receiver unit 102 is showndecoupled from fluid transfer unit 104. In one example, the receiverhousing 110 may define a perimeter wall 114. As depicted, the perimeterwall 114 has eight sides, though the perimeter wall may have more orfewer sides. Other perimeter shapes are possible, for example, thereceiver perimeter wall may be cylindrical or elliptical, or may havethree or more sides. A perimeter wall having a polygonal perimeter mayhave planar sides of equal perimeter-segment length, or sides thatdiffer in perimeter-segment length. A perimeter wall may have one ormore curved sides.

The perimeter wall 114 of the receiver housing 110 may define a firstperimeter edge 115 and a second perimeter edge 116. As shown in FIG. 2 ,the first perimeter edge 115 can be parallel to the second perimeteredge 116. For purposes of discussion, the first perimeter edge 115 willbe referred to as a “top edge” of wall 114, and the second perimeteredge 116 will be referred to as a “bottom edge” of the wall 114. Theinlet port 112 may lie in a common plane with the bottom edge, extendingaway from, e.g., below, the bottom edge 116. In the illustratedembodiment, a face of the inlet port 112 is co-planar with a side 117 ofthe perimeter wall 114, though the face of the inlet port can berecessed from the perimeter wall or be positioned outwardly of theperimeter wall. The inlet port 112 may be fluidically coupled to aninlet conduit 113 extending inwardly from the inlet port, e.g., inwardlyof the side 117. The inlet conduit 113 may be disposed partly below anelevation of the second perimeter edge 116.

Similar to the receiver housing 110, the transfer housing 140 can definea perimeter wall 144. The perimeter wall 144 of the transfer housing mayhave the same perimeter shape as the perimeter wall 114 of the receiver,e.g., eight sides as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The transfer perimeterwall 144 may have a different perimeter shape than the receiverperimeter wall 114, provided that the two perimeter walls permit thetransfer housing 140 and the receiver housing 110 to be coupled together(or at least do not prevent them from being coupled together).

The transfer perimeter wall 144 may define a third (upper) perimeteredge 145 and a fourth (lower) perimeter edge 146. For purposes ofdiscussion, the third perimeter edge 145 will be referred to as the “topedge” of wall 144, and the fourth perimeter edge 146 will be referred toas the “bottom edge” of wall 144. The outlet port 142 may be disposed inthe transfer perimeter wall 144, for example, an aperture opening fromone face of the wall 144 between the top and bottom edges 145, 146 ofthe perimeter wall. The upper edge 145 of the perimeter wall 144 candefine a recess 147 having a complementary contour relative to the wallof the inlet port 112 and/or the inlet conduit 113. For example, therecess 147 may be sized and shaped to receive the inlet port 112 whenthe transfer housing 140 and the receiver housing 110 are coupledtogether. When so coupled together, the lower edge 116 of the perimeterwall 114 defined by the receiver housing 110 can contact the upper edge145 of the perimeter wall 144 defined by the transfer housing 140. In anembodiment, the upper edge 145 and the lower edge 116 matingly engagewith each other, as by a tongue (not shown) defined by one of the edgesmating with a corresponding groove defined (not shown) by the other ofthe edges.

The transfer housing 140 can define a first major surface bounded by theupper edge 145 of the perimeter wall 144. The first major surface inturn can define a coupling region 141. The coupling region 141 caninclude a fluid connector 150 configured to detachably and matinglyengage with a complementary structure defined by a corresponding regionof the receiver housing 110 positioned opposite the coupling region 141when the receiver housing 110 and the transfer housing 140 are broughtinto an opposing relationship, as shown in FIG. 2 . For example, thefluid connector 150 may define a recessed region circumscribed by asupport wall 152. The support wall 152 may be cylindrical as shown,although other shapes are possible. The recessed region of the fluidconnector 150 can have a floor 154. In turn, the floor 154 may define anaperture, or port, 156. The port 156 can extend through the floor 154,and in some embodiments, through coupling region 141 to fluidicallycouple with an internal conduit or other fluid passage defined by thefluid transfer unit 104. The fluid connector aperture 156 may becentrally positioned on the floor 154 or may be positioned off-center asdepicted in FIG. 5 .

In one example, the floor 154 may be downwardly sloped (e.g., concave)as observed moving from the support wall 152 toward the aperture 156,e.g., the floor adjacent the aperture may be more deeply recessed fromthe upper edge 145 of the perimeter wall 144 than the floor adjacent thesupport wall 152. In another example, the floor 154 may be upwardlysloped (e.g., convex) as observed moving from the support wall 152toward the aperture 156. In yet another example, the floor 154 may beflat, e.g., may be uniformly recessed from the upper edge 145 of theperimeter wall. As described more fully below in relation to FIG. 4 ,the fluid connector 150 can define an inlet to the fluid transfer unit104 configured to receive fluid from the fluid receiver unit 102. Forexample, the fluid connector 150 may be fluidically coupled with acorresponding outlet connector 120 (FIG. 3 ) defined by the fluidreceiver unit 102, allowing the fluid transfer unit 104 to receive fluidfrom the fluid receiver unit 102 when the receiver housing 110 and thetransfer housing 140 are coupled together as shown in FIG. 1 .

The receiver housing 110 and the transfer housing 140 may further beconfigured to be retained together when coupled with each other, and tobe separable or otherwise detachable from each other after being coupledwith each other. For example, the housings 110 and 140 may includeinternal structures such as through-holes and shafts (or recesses andcorresponding bosses) that permit fastening members such as screws orbolts to removably connect one housing to the other. In another example,the housings 110 and 140 may include complementary structures thatengage, e.g., interlock, with each other to secure one housing to theother when the complementary structures or brought together or otherwisejoined, and to subsequently disengage from each other. For example, thehousings can matingly engage with each other using complementarilyconfigured features, such as for example studs and sockets, orcompression fittings, and can be separated from each other, similar toLego® building blocks can be matingly engaged with each other andsubsequently disengaged from each other. The receiver housing 110 andtransfer housing 140 may be further secured together for example, withfasteners (e.g., screws), clasps, clamps, strapping or other mechanismsto enhance the mating engagement between the housings and to preventthem from detaching from each other. Further, as shown by way of examplein FIGS. 2 through 6 , the housings 110, 140 can define complementaryfluid connectors 120, 150 that can blindly mate with each other when thefluid receiver unit 102 and fluid transfer unit 104 are coupled togetheras shown in FIG. 1 . For example, the fluid connector 150 has a floor154 (FIG. 2 ) defining a face seal that abuts the opposed faces of theouter support wall 122 and the inner wall 126 (FIG. 3 ) to provide afluidic connection between the fluid connector 120, 150. Alternativeembodiments of blindly matable fluid connectors are shown in anddescribed in relation to FIGS. 20 through 23 , below. For example, inthe alternative embodiment, the fluid connector of the fluid receiverunit 1602 (FIG. 20 ) defines a face seal similar to the fluid connector150 defined by the transfer unit 104, whereas the fluid connector of thefluid transfer unit 1604 (FIG. 21 ) is similar to the fluid connector120 defined by the receiver unit 102 (e.g., has concentric wallsseparated by an annular gap).

Referring now to FIG. 3 , an isometric view from below the receiverhousing 110 reveals the fluid connector 120 (e.g., an outlet connectorof the fluid receiver unit 102).

The receiver housing 110 defines a receiver coupling region 111 that maybe partially recessed from the bottom edges 116 of the perimeter wall114, or may partially protrude beyond the bottom edges, as depicted inthe isometric, exploded view shown in FIG. 5 . A portion of the inletport 112 and the conduit 113 may protrude or protrude beyond thereceiver coupling region 111 relative to the bottom edges 116.

Receiver coupling region 111 (which defines a major surface opposite thefloor of the pump volute 131) may define a portion of the fluidconnector 120. The fluid connector 120 may be configured to be matinglyengageable and disengageable with the fluid connector 150 (FIG. 2 )defined by the transfer housing 140. For example, the fluid connector120 may include an outer support wall 122 that may be insertable withinthe recessed region circumferentially bounded by the support wall 152 ofthe fluid connector 150. The outer diameter (or perimeter) of thesupport wall 122 may be slightly smaller than an inner diameter (orperimeter) of the support wall 152. Alternatively, the support wall 152of the fluid connector 150 may be insertable into the support wall 122of the fluid connector 120. The support wall 122 may, for example,function as a stud and the support wall 152 may function as a socket,similar to a snap closure. Further, the walls 122 and 152 may definecomplementary tapers, as to enhance sealing of a press-fit engagementbetween the walls. Alternatively, the walls 122 and 152 may bevertically oriented without a taper and sized to permit a slidingengagement between the walls, allowing the floor 154 of the connector150 to sealingly abut a corresponding face of the wall 122 and innerwall 126.

As noted, the fluid connector 120 may also include an inner wall 126.The inner wall 126 may be concentric with the support wall 122 and mayextend below and away from the fluid connector aperture 124,perpendicularly to the receiver coupling region 111. The inner wall 126may function as a pipe or conduit leading from the fluid connectoraperture 124 to the fluid connector aperture 156.

Although the description above refers generally to aperture 124 as beingcentrally located relative to, for example, walls 126, 122 and aperture156 as being centrally located relative to, for example, wall 152, oneor both apertures 124, 156 may be positioned off-center relative to suchwalls. Further, the walls 122, 126, 154 shown in the illustrations aredescribed as being annular or cylindrical, but perimeter walls havingother cross-sectional shapes are possible, as will be understoodfollowing a review of this disclosure by a person having ordinary skillin the art. For example, the walls may have an irregular cross-sectionalshape (e.g., a wall thickness may vary with position or an outer surfaceof the wall may have a sinuous or other irregular contour, or both), aquadrilateral cross-sectional shape, an ellipsoidal cross-sectionalshape, etc.

Further, an annular static seal or other gasket (not shown) can bepositioned within the annular recess between the wall 122 and the innerwall 126 and can extend beyond the end faces of the walls 122, 126. Inan embodiment, an end face of such a seal or gasket can abut the floor154 of the connector 150, compressing the seal or gasket between thefloor of the annular recess and the floor 154 to cause the seal orgasket to swell radially and enhance sealing performance of the fluidconnection provided by the connectors 120, 150.

In an embodiment, the fluid connector 150 defines an annular wallextending circumferentially around and coaxially with the aperture 156.Such an annular wall can be received in the annular gap defined betweenthe walls 122, 126 of the connector 120. A seal or other gasketpositioned within the annular gap between the walls 122, 126 can becaptured between an end face of the annular wall defined by theconnector 150 and a floor of the annular gap between the walls 122, 126.Compression of the seal or other gasket between the end face of theconnector 150's annular wall and the connector 120's annular floor cancause the seal or other gasket to swell radially and enhance sealingperformance of the fluid connection provided by the connectors 120, 150.Moreover, placing the annular wall of the connector 150 within theannular gap of the connector 120 can facilitate alignment of thereceiver housing with the transfer housing. Although the connector 120is described as defining an annular gap and the connector 150 isdescribed as defining an annular wall, the connector 120 can define anannular wall received within an annular gap defined by the connector150. In a further example, both connectors can define an annular walland an annular gap so that on mating, the connectors 120 and 150 havingannular walls interleaved or juxtaposed with each other. A seal or othergasket as described above can be positioned within each annular gap of aconnector that receives a complementary annular wall of the otherconnector.

Although seals or gaskets that abut a floor of an annular gap and an endface of an annular wall are described, a seal or a gasket can extendbetween a longitudinal face of an annular wall of one connector (120 or150) and a corresponding, opposed longitudinal face of the otherconnector (150 or 120). For example, an O-ring can extend around anouter surface of an inner wall and urge radially outwardly against aninner surface of an outer wall. Alternatively, an O-ring can extendcircumferentially around an inner surface of an outer wall (as whenseated in a circumferential groove) and urge radially inwardly againstan outer surface of the inner wall.

Receiver coupling region 111 may define a fluid connector aperture (orport) 124 disposed radially inward of the support wall 122. The port 124fluidically couples with the outlet port 124 a from the pump volute 131(FIG. 4 ), providing a fluid passage from the pump volute to the fluidconnector 120. The fluid connector aperture 124 may be positionedcentrally with respect to the support wall 122 or may be positionedoff-center. When fluid connector 120 is matingly engaged with the fluidconnector 150, the fluid connector aperture 124 may be concentricallyaligned with the fluid connector aperture (or inlet port) 156 to thetransfer unit 104. Alternatively, the fluid connector apertures 124 and156 may be fluidically coupled together, for example, by a separatefluid conduit (not shown), without being concentrically aligned witheach other. When matingly engaged with each other, the fluid connectors120 and 150 may define a fluidically sealed transfer plenum, or conduit,extending along the inner wall 126 through the opening 124 and into theaperture 156 defined by the floor 154.

FIG. 4 shows a partial exploded view 100′ of the modular heat exchangeassembly 100 shown in FIG. 1 (omitting several pump components andcontrol components, as well as a housing top cap to reveal details ofthe pump volute 131). In FIG. 4 , the pump volute 131 is defined by arecess from a first side of the fluid receiver unit 102. The pump volute131 receives coolant delivered to the inlet port 112 by way of theconduit 113 that extends from the inlet port 112 (i.e., the inlet to thereceiver unit 102) to the inlet 113 a to the pump volute. The pumpvolute 131, in turn, defines a cut water having an outlet port 124 athat extends through the floor of the volute and opens to the aperture124 (the outlet port from the receiver unit 102) defined by the innerwall of the fluid connector 120 (FIG. 3 ). As shown, the outlet port 124a is positioned radially outward of an inlet 113 a to the pump volute.The fluid connector 120 is similarly radially offset from a center ofthe pump volute (albeit on a second side of the housing 110 opposite thefirst side that defines the pump volute 131).

As also shown in FIG. 4 , the fluid transfer unit 104 may also include acharge port, e.g., charge port 105. The charge port 105 (FIG. 2 ) canextend through the perimeter wall 144 of the fluid transfer unit and aconduit 107 can extend inwardly of the perimeter wall, coupling thecharge port 105 with a recessed region 109 or other fluid passage (FIG.5 ) formed under the transfer housing 140 (e.g., at an elevation betweenthe coupling region 141 and the lower edge 146 of the perimeter wall144), allowing an assembled heat exchange system to be charged with aworking fluid after assembly. After charging, a plug (e.g., plug 108(FIG. 4 )) can be inserted into the charge port 105 to seal it. One ormore (e.g., two) O-rings can extend circumferentially around the plugand urge against the inner surface of the charge port 105, providing asealing engagement between the plug and the charge port. The charge port105 and an associated conduit 107 fluidically coupled with a fluidpassage may alternatively be defined by the fluid receiver unit 102.

III. Manifold Inserts and Cold Plates

Referring still to FIG. 5 , a side of the fluid transfer unit 104opposite the coupling region 141 (FIG. 2 ) may define a recess 109.Within the recess 109, a wall 158, or lip, extends from the ceiling ofthe recess and around the aperture 156 opening from the fluid connector150 (FIG. 4 ). The recess 109 can receive the manifold insert 160.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the manifold insert 160 can define a fluid conduit163 opening from a first major surface 161 of the insert, which facesopposite the ceiling of the recess 109 defined by the fluid transferunit 104. Further, a recessed region 163 a around a perimeter of thefluid conduit 163 can be recessed from the first major surface 161. Whenthe inert 160 is positioned within the recess 109 (FIG. 5 ) with thefirst major surface 161 facing the ceiling of the recess 109, theperimeter wall 158 mates with the recess 163 a, aligning the inlet tothe fluid conduit 163 with the aperture 156, fluidically coupling theconduit 163 with the fluid connector 150.

Thus, fluid exiting the fluid receiver unit 102 via the aperture 124 mayenter the fluid transfer unit 104 at the fluid connector 150, flowthrough the aperture 156, and enter the conduit 163. As FIG. 5 shows,the conduit 163 can be a passageway configured to convey fluid from theaperture 156 to a distribution manifold 164 at a second end. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 5 , the distribution manifold 164 can includeone or more turning vanes 165 configured to distribute fluid from theconduit 163 throughout the distribution manifold 164. The turning vanes165 may be planar structures oriented at a selected angle of attackrelative to an incoming flow through the conduit 163, causing fluidentering the manifold chamber 164 to spread or fan outwardly of theconduit.

From the distribution manifold 164, the fluid can then flow through amanifold aperture 166 defined by the compliant member 162. As shown inFIG. 5 , the manifold chamber 164 may be covered (e.g., partiallyclosed) by the first major surface 161 positioned opposite the manifoldaperture 166. The turning vanes 151 may extend downwardly from the firstmajor surface 161 into the manifold chamber 164, as depicted in FIG. 8 .

As shown in FIG. 6 , the compliant member 162 may include one or morebosses 167 configured to be positioned within a corresponding recessedregion or aperture 168 defined by the insert 160, allowing the manifoldinsert 160 to matingly engage with the compliant member 162.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the component heat exchange assembly 100 caninclude a cold plate unit 106 positioned opposite the fluid receiverunit 102 relative to the fluid transfer unit 104. The cold plate unit106 can include a cold plate 200 (or heat sink). According to anembodiment, the cold plate 200 may include a thermally conductive heatspreader plate having an inner facing, upper surface 202 and a pluralityof juxtaposed fins 210 extending generally perpendicularly from theupper surface. Opposite the upper surface 202, the cold plate can definea thermal contact surface 201 (FIG. 8 ) configured to be placed inthermal contact with a heat-dissipating device, e.g., a processor.

The fins 210 may be thermally coupled to the upper surface 202 to acceptthermal energy conducted from the thermal contact surface 201, throughthe heat spreader plate, to the upper surface 202. The fins 210 maydefine a corresponding plurality of parallel microchannels betweenadjacent fins. The microchannels are formed to accept and allow passagetherethrough a flow of working fluid such that the fluid can move alongthe heat spreader plate and fins 210 and receive heat energy from them.The channel area, defined between upper surface 202 and the fins 210,channels or directs fluid to define a fluid flow path. The channel areamay be open or filled with thermally conductive porous material such asfor example metal or silicon foam, sintered metal, etc. Thermallyconductive, porous materials allow flow through the channels but createa tortuous flow path having a large surface area available for heattransfer.

The heat sink 200 may also have a recessed groove (e.g., not shown inFIG. 6 but similar to recessed groove 1212 in FIG. 16 ) that extendstransversely relative to the fins 210. When assembled with the manifoldinsert 160, the tops of the fins 210 may be in contact with thecold-plate contact surface 169, and the manifold aperture 166 may beabove and parallel with the recessed groove. FIG. 16 shows an example ofa manifold aperture 1166 arranged to overlie a recessed groove 1212 in aparallel relation. The manifold aperture 166 and a recessed groove maytogether define an inlet manifold hydraulically coupling in parallelselected ones of the microchannels to at least one other of themicrochannels. Accordingly, fluid conveyed through the manifold aperture166 may enter the microchannels between the fins 210 and bifurcated intotwo outwardly directed sub-flows flowing along the microchannels fromthe inlet opening 166 to opposed ends of the microchannels positionedlaterally outward of the opening 166. The fluid absorbs heat from thefins 210 as it flows through the microchannels. The manifold insert 160and the compliant member 162 can leave opposed regions of the recess 109unoccupied so as to define opposed outlet manifold regions 149configured to receive coolant from the microchannels 210. The opposedoutlet manifold regions 149 (FIG. 12B) can flank the inlet opening 166outward of the compliant member 162. Coolant collected by the outletmanifold regions 149 can exhaust from the recess 109 through the conduit143 (FIG. 8 ), which conveys the coolant to the outlet port 142.

The heat sink 200 may have a flanking groove 214 disposed at an outerperimeter of the fins 210. Fluid exiting the microchannels between thefins 210 can flow into the flanking groove 214. The flanking groove 214may form a bottom surface of the outlet manifold 149 as shown in FIG. 7. The outlet manifold 149 is fluidically coupled with the outlet conduit143, which is, in turn, fluidically coupled to the outlet port 142.

A seal 220, e.g., an O-ring, may be used to fluidically seal the outletmanifold 149 when the heat sink 200 is coupled with the transfer housing140.

The compliant member 162 may define a cold-plate contact surface 169configured to overlie fins of the cold plate 200. The cold-plate contactsurface 169 may flank the opening 166, and the opening 166 can bepositioned between ends of the microchannels, permitting coolant passingfrom the opening 166 into a plurality of microchannels to bifurcate intotwo, outwardly directed sub-flows within each microchannel.

FIG. 7A shows an isometric view of the manifold insert 160 with thefirst major surface 161 removed to facilitate viewing internalcomponents. The manifold insert 160 is coupled to the compliant member162. FIG. 7B shows an isometric view of the compliant member 162 withthe manifold insert 160 removed.

The compliant member 162, the first major surface 161, or both, may beformed using, for example, a molding technique (e.g., injection molding,compression molding, and transfer molding), a machining technique, anextrusion technique, a 3-D printing technique or other suitable processnow known or hereafter developed. In a working embodiment, the compliantmember 162 is formed of a compliant polymeric material that generallyconforms to and seals against adjacent surfaces. Any suitable materialcan be used to form the compliant member 162, provided that the selectedmaterial is compatible with other components of the fluid transfer unit104 and the selected working fluid. For example, common materials fromwhich the compliant member 162 can be formed include silicone or anyother suitably compliant material.

FIG. 9 shows a section view of the fluid receiver unit 102 along lineI-I shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . FIG. 10 shows a section view of the fluidtransfer unit 104 along line II-II of FIG. 2 . As shown in FIG. 9 , thesupport wall 122 may have a diameter d₁ and a wall height h₁. The fluidaperture 124 may have a diameter d₂. When the inner wall 126 is present,its inner diameter may also be d₂. In some examples, the diameter of theinner wall 126 may decrease or grow from the diameter d₂ at the aperture124.

In the illustrated example, the end 126-a of the inner wall 126 oppositethe aperture 124 may be coplanar with the end 122-a of the support wall122. In other examples, the end 126-a may extend farther than the end122-a with respect to the surface 111, or may not extend as far as theend 122-a with respect to the surface 111 shown in FIG. 9 .

As shown in FIG. 10 , the support wall 152 may have a diameter d₃ and awall height h₂. In the illustrated examples of FIGS. 9 and 10 , thedifference between d₃ and d₁ may be sufficient to permit the supportwall 122 to be inserted into the volume defined by support wall 152while allowing support wall 122 to contact support wall 152. In anotherexample, diameter d₁ of the support wall 122 may be the same as diameterd₃ and the support wall 122 may be compressible such that it can beinserted into the fluid connector 150.

The wall height h₁ of the support wall 122 may be less than or equal tothe wall height h₂ of the support wall 152. When the inner wall 126 ispresent, it may extend to contact the floor 154. In other examples, theinner wall 126 may extend part way into the volume defined by supportwall 152 without contacting the floor 154.

Returning to FIG. 9 , the fluid receiver unit 102 may include a pumpassembly 130. As will be shown and described further below, the pumpassembly 130 may receive a fluid via the inlet port 112 and maycirculate the fluid to the fluid connector 120 where the fluid exits thefluid receiver unit 102 via the aperture 124.

FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of a pump assembly 130 having a topportion cut away to facilitate viewing internal components. The pumpassembly may include a pump volute 131 defined by a volute side wall 132and a bottom wall 133. The bottom wall 133 may define an inlet aperture134, which is fluidically coupled to the inlet port 112. For example, aconduit may be fluidically coupled to the inlet port 112 and to theinlet aperture 134, and may be positioned below the bottom wall 133 suchthat fluid flows upward into the pump volute 131.

The inlet aperture 134, as shown, is positioned at the center of thebottom wall 133. In other examples, the inlet aperture 134 may bepositioned elsewhere in the bottom wall or may be positioned in thevolute side wall 132.

The bottom wall 133 may define an outlet aperture 135. The outletaperture 135 may be positioned radially outward from the center of thebottom wall 133, for example, at or near the volute side wall 132. Fluidentering the pump volute 131 via the inlet aperture 134 may becirculated by an impeller, comprising one or more impeller vanes 136, tothe outlet aperture 135. The impeller may be driven by a motor (notshown).

The bottom wall 133 may include a sloped surface 137 on the up-streamside of the outlet aperture 135. The surface 137 may slope from thebottom wall into the outlet aperture in a downward direction, asdetermined by gravity. The sloped surface 137 may act as a cutwater byguiding the fluid in the pump volute to discharge through the outletaperture 135 rather than recirculating in the volute 131. A cutwater isused to divert the fluid away from the volute in a tangential directionto the impeller rotation in the volute. With the outlet aperture 135 inthe floor of the pump volute 131 rather than on a side wall, the fluiddiverted from the pump volute can move out of the plane of the impellerrotation, e.g., downwardly, instead of tangentially.

The outlet aperture 135 may be fluidically coupled to the aperture 124of the fluid receiver unit 102. For example, the outlet aperture 135 maybe the aperture 124. In another example, the outlet aperture 135 may befluidically coupled to a separate aperture 124 via a conduit, or atransfer plenum.

Pump assembly 130 is but one example of a pump assembly that may be usedin a modular heat exchange system. Other pump assemblies havingdifferent configurations of inlets, outlets and impellers may be used inthe fluid receiver unit 102 to circulate fluid from the inlet port 112to the aperture 124. Alternatively, a pump assembly external to thefluid receiver unit 102 may be used to supply fluid to the inlet port112.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show section views of the fluid transfer unit 104.FIG. 12A shows the section view along line III-III of FIG. 2 . FIG. 12Bshows the section view along line IV-IV of FIG. 12A. As described indetail above, the modular fluid heat exchange assembly 100 may include aheat sink 200. The heat sink 200 may be coupled to the transfer housing140 and may define, together with the recess 109 and the transferhousing 150, an outlet manifold 149. An example of a heat sink 200 willbe described further below.

The manifold insert 160 may be configured to guide a fluid, e.g., aworking fluid or coolant, from the fluid connector 150 to the heat sink200, and then to the outlet port 142 via an outlet conduit 143.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the manifold insert 160 and the compliant member162 may be fixedly coupled together, detachably coupled together, or aunitary piece.

The manifold insert 160 may be positioned adjacent and in contact withthe coupling region 141, and below the aperture 156. The plate 162 mayinclude a conduit 163 that is fluidically coupled to the aperture 156.

IV. Fluid Distribution

FIG. 13 shows a schematic fluid circuit diagram from the inlet port 112of the fluid receiver unit 102 to the outlet port 142 of the fluidtransfer unit 104. The units 102 and 104 are shown horizontally spacedapart for clarity, however, the fluid circuit depicted in FIG. 13represents a fluid flow when the units 102 and 104 are matingly engaged,e.g., stacked and connected together as shown, for example, in FIG. 1 ,or otherwise coupled together.

A working fluid, e.g., a coolant, is supplied at the inlet port 112 froma remotely positioned heat exchange (not shown). The fluid is conveyed,in the direction indicated by the arrows, to the pump volute 131 via theinlet conduit 113. The fluid enters the pump volute 131 via the inletaperture 134 and circulates. A pump impeller positioned in the pumpvolute rotates and increases a pressure head in the working fluid beforethe fluid passes from the pump volute 131 through the outlet aperture135. The fluid is then conveyed to the fluid transfer unit 104 via thematingly engaged fluid connectors 120 and 150 (e.g., FIGS. 9 and 10 ),represented by the dashed arrow A. When the unit 102 is stackedvertically above the unit 104, the flow from the unit 102 to the unit104 may be downward as defined by gravity.

The fluid enters the fluid transfer unit 104 through the connector 150at the aperture 156 (e.g., FIGS. 4 and 12B) and is conveyed via thechannel or conduit 163 to the manifold chamber 164. The fluid enters andflows, e.g., downward, through the manifold aperture 166. The fluidflows into the central region of the heat sink (e.g., into the recessedgroove of the heat sink, if present), and outwardly between the fins210, where it absorbs heat from the fins 210. During operation of thefluid circuit, energy conducts (e.g., diffuses) from the fins of theheat sink into adjacent fluid particles within the microchannels, andthe adjacent fluid particles are swept away from the fins, or advected,carrying the energy absorbed from the fins. The swept-away particles arereplaced by other, usually cooler fluid particles, which more readilyabsorb energy from the walls (e.g., by virtue of their usually lowertemperature). Such a combination of conduction and advection (i.e.,convection) provides an efficient approach for cooling devices having arelatively high heat flux, such as, for example, electronic devices.

Upon exiting the fins 210, the heated fluid collects in the outletmanifold 149 where it is conveyed out of the fluid transfer unit 104 viathe outlet conduit 143 and the outlet port 142, carrying with it theenergy absorbed from the heat sink.

From the outlet port 142, the heated fluid is conveyed to another heatexchanger (not shown) to reject the heat (e.g., to another workingfluid, such as, for example, the air or a building's water supply)through convection processes similar to those described above, and maybe returned, cooled, to the inlet port 112.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic fluid circuit diagram from an inlet port 1012of a fluid receiver unit 1002 to the outlet port 142 of a fluid transferunit 104. The fluid receiver unit 1002 may have a fluid connector andreceiver coupling region configured to matingly engage with the fluidconnector 150 and coupling region 141 of the fluid transfer unit 104 ina manner described above in connection with FIGS. 1-8 . The fluidreceiver unit 1002 may, however, not have an internal pump. Instead, aworking fluid may be supplied at the inlet port 1012, for example, froman externally pressurized supply conduit (e.g., from an external pump).The fluid is conveyed, in the direction indicated by the arrows, to theoutlet connector 1035 via the inlet conduit 1013. The outlet connector1035 may be analogous to the outlet connector 120 described above inrelation to, e.g., FIG. 3 . The outlet connector 1035 can fluidicallycouple with the inlet connector 150 incorporated in the fluid transferunit 104. The fluid is then conveyed to the fluid transfer unit 104 viathe matingly engaged fluid connectors, represented by the dashed arrowB.

The flow through the fluid transfer unit 104 may be as described abovewith respect to FIG. 13 . However, if a different heat sink and/ormanifold insert are used, the flow from the connector 150 to the outletconduit 143 may differ between those elements from that depicted in FIG.13 , according to the arrangement of the manifold insert and heat sink.

V. Other Manifold Inserts and Heat Sinks

FIGS. 15-19 show an example of a manifold insert 1160 and a heat sink1200 that can be used in combination with a fluid transfer unit asdescribed above. FIG. 15 shows a heat source contact region 1202 of theheat sink 1200 placed on a transfer housing 1140. The heat sourcecontact region 1202 is configured to be thermally coupled to a heatgenerating component, such as for example a microchip, packagedintegrated circuit, or other electronic device, and to absorb heattherefrom. The transfer housing 1140 and the heat sink 1200 are shownupside-down relative to an installation position, where the heatspreader plate would be positioned as the lowermost component relativeto the heat dissipating device.

FIG. 16 shows the heat sink 1200 removed from the transfer housing 1140,exposing a compliant member 1162 of the manifold insert 1160. Thecompliant member 1162 may have a manifold aperture 1166, which isconfigured to align with and lie above the recessed groove 1212 of theheat sink in an installation position. The heat sink 1200 may be athermally conductive heat spreader plate having a plurality ofjuxtaposed fins 1210 extending generally perpendicularly from the heatspreader plate. The fins 1210 may define a corresponding plurality ofparallel microchannels between adjacent fins. The heat sink 1200 mayhave a flanking groove 1214 disposed at an outer perimeter of the fins1210.

FIG. 17 shows the compliant member 1162 removed from the transferhousing 1140 and placed alongside the heat sink 1200. The compliantmember 1162 is shown upside-down relative to an installation position.The compliant member 1162 may include a heat sink contact surface 1169,which may define a lower extent of the manifold aperture 1166. Thecompliant member 1162 may include a perimeter gasket 1170. The perimetergasket 1170 may be configured to be seated in a perimeter recess 1216 inthe heat sink 1200. When the heat sink 1200 is coupled to the housing1140, the perimeter gasket 1170 may fluidically seal the perimeter ofthe heat sink 1200 with the housing 1140.

The perimeter gasket 1170 may be connected to the heat sink contactsurface 1169 by one or more lobes 1171. A lobe 1171 may be coupled toand extend from an outer perimeter of the heat sink contact surface 1169to an inner perimeter of the perimeter gasket 1170. The lobes 1171 mayanchor the heat sink contact surface 1169 so that it stays positionedover the fins 1210 when the heat sink 1200 is coupled to the transferhousing 1140. The lobes 1171 may be configured not to contact the heatsink 1200 so as to permit fluid flow in the exhaust manifold.

FIG. 18 shows the compliant member 1162 right-side up in an installationposition and placed loosely over the heat sink 1200, and a bottom sideof an exposed plate 1161 of the manifold insert 1160 in the transferhousing 1140. FIG. 19 shows a larger view of the bottom side of theplate 1161. The plate 1161 may include a manifold chamber 1164 andturning vanes 1165. The manifold chamber 1164 may be configured to befluidically coupled to a fluid connector in the transfer housing 1140 atthe opening 1172. The plate 1161 may include a recessed region 1168configured to receive a corresponding boss 1167 b defined by thecompliant member.

Returning to FIG. 18 , the compliant member 1162 may have one or morebosses, such as 1167 a and 1167 b, on a surface opposite the heat sinkcontact surface 1169. The bosses may be configured to be seated in therecessed regions of the plate 1161 and may assist in maintaining thealignment of the compliant member 1162 with the plate 1161. For example,the boss 1167 b may be configured to sit in the recessed region 1168.The boss 1167 a may be configured to sit partially in the manifoldchamber 1164 and form the floor of the chamber 1164 without covering themanifold aperture 1166.

FIG. 20 depicts a fluid receiver unit 1602 having features similar tothe fluid receiver unit 102 shown in FIGS. 1-6 . In FIG. 20 , featuresof the fluid receiver unit 1602 similar to features of the fluidreceiver unit 102 are referred using similar reference numerals to thoseused in FIGS. 1-6 , except that the reference numerals in FIG. 20 are1600-series numbers rather than 100-series numbers as in FIGS. 1-6 .Given the similarities, a detailed description of the various featureslabeled with reference numerals in FIGS. 20-23 is omitted forsuccinctness.

A notable difference, however, is that the fluid receiver unit 1602defines a fluid connector 1620 having a face seal similar to the fluidconnector 150 defined by the fluid transfer unit 104 in FIGS. 1-6 .Nonetheless, the fluid connector 1620 can be configured to be matinglyengageable and disengageable with the fluid connector 1650 (FIG. 21 )defined by the transfer housing 1640.

The fluid connector 1620 has a segmented circumferential wall 1622extending around a recessed floor 1623. The patterned shading of therecessed floor 1623 indicates that the floor 1623 is substantiallyco-planar with the similarly patterned stud faces 1601 a, 1601 b andface 1603 of the intersecting ribs. The patterned faces of the fluidreceiver unit 1602 in FIG. 20 can have a gasket material applied tothem. When assembled with the fluid transfer unit 1604, the patternedfaces of the fluid receiver unit 1602 can be positioned in opposedrelationship to corresponding faces defined by the fluid transfer unit1604. For example, the co-planar faces of the outer wall 1652 and innerwall 1653 of the fluid connector 1650 can abut the floor 1623 of thefluid connector 1620. Similarly, the patterned rib 1603 can abut andseal with the corresponding rib 1607 in FIG. 21 when the fluid receiverunit 1602 and the fluid transfer unit 1604 are matingly engaged witheach other. The gasket material can seal the interface between the fluidreceiver unit 1602 and the fluid transfer unit 1604, providing areliable, fluid-tight interface and inhibiting or altogether preventingleakage of coolant from the connection between the connectors 1620 and1650.

The connector 1650 can include an outer support wall 1652 that may beinsertable within the recessed region circumferentially bounded by thesegmented support wall 1622 of the fluid connector 1620. The outerdiameter (or perimeter) of the support wall 1652 may be slightly smallerthan an inner diameter (or perimeter) of the support wall 1622.Alternatively, the support wall 1622 of the fluid connector 1620 may beinsertable into the support wall 1652 of the fluid connector 1650. Thesupport wall 1652 may, for example, function as a stud and the supportwall 1622 may function as a socket, similar to a snap closure. Further,the walls 1622 and 1652 may define complementary tapers, as to enhancesealing of a press-fit engagement between the walls. Alternatively, thewalls 1622 and 1652 may be vertically oriented without a taper and sizedto permit a sliding engagement between the walls, allowing the floor1623 of the connector 1620 to sealingly abut a corresponding face of thewall 1652 and inner wall 1653.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22 , an annular seal or other gasket 1630 canbe positioned within the annular recess between the outer wall 1652 andthe inner wall 1653 and can extend beyond the end faces of the walls1652, 1653. An end face 1632 of such a seal or gasket can abut the floor1623 of the connector 1620, compressing the seal or gasket between thefloor of the annular recess defined by the connector 1650 and the floor1623, causing the seal or gasket 1630 to swell radially and enhancesealing performance of the fluid connection provided by the connectors1620, 1650.

Referring now to FIG. 23 , a fluid connector aperture (or port) 1624disposed radially inward of the segmented support wall 1622. The port1624 fluidically couples with the outlet port from the pump volute 1631(FIG. 22 ), providing a fluid passage from the pump volute to the fluidconnector 1620. The fluid connector aperture 1624 may be positionedcentrally with respect to the support wall 1622 or may be positionedoff-center. When fluid connector 1620 is matingly engaged with the fluidconnector 1650, the fluid connector aperture 1624 may be concentricallyaligned with the fluid connector aperture (or inlet port) 1656 (FIG. 21) to the transfer unit 1604. Alternatively, the fluid connectorapertures 1624 and 1656 may be fluidically coupled together, forexample, by a separate fluid conduit (not shown), without beingconcentrically aligned with each other. When matingly engaged with eachother, the fluid connectors 1620 and 1650 may define a fluidicallysealed transfer plenum, or conduit, extending from the aperture 1624defined by the floor 1623 along the inner wall 1653 through the opening1656 and into the fluid transfer unit 1604.

In another embodiment, the flow path through the modular fluid heatexchange assembly 100 is reversed from that described above. In such anembodiment, the direction coolant flows through the fluid heat exchangeassembly 100 would be opposite to the direction of the arrows depictedin FIGS. 13 and 14 (and described above in relation to FIGS. 1 through23 ). For example, cool coolant can enter (rather than exit from) theoutlet port 142 and heated coolant can exit from (rather than enter) theinlet port 112. In such an embodiment, coolant passes through theconduit 143 and bifurcates as it enters the outlet manifold 149. Thebifurcated flows enter the microchannels defined by the finned heatsink, converging toward each within the microchannels before combiningin or near the central region of the heat sink. The re-combined flow ofcoolant passes, e.g., upward, through the manifold aperture 166. Onpassing through the manifold aperture, the flow of coolant enters aconverging region of the manifold chamber 164, flows along the conduit163 and through the matingly engaged connectors 120, 150. In such anembodiment, the passageway through the connector 120 (or 1620 in FIG. 20) can open into a peripheral region of the pump volute, as indicated inFIGS. 11 and 13 , or, more preferably, the passageway through theconnector 120 (1620 in FIG. 20 ) can open to a more centrally positionedregion of the pump volute 131, 1631 (e.g., a location similar to that ofthe aperture 113 a in FIG. 4 ). In either instance, coolant exiting thepump volute 131, 1631 can enter the conduit 113 and exit from theassembly through the inlet port 112, 1612. In an embodiment lacking apump, as shown in FIG. 14 , coolant that passes through the connector150, 1650 can flow through an aperture (analogous to aperture 1624, FIG.20 ) of the outlet connector 1035, along the conduit 1013, and exhaustfrom the inlet port 1012.

Other heat sinks and/or manifold inserts may be used, including, forexample, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,453,691, which isincorporated herein by reference.

Accordingly, users of modular heat exchange systems as disclosed hereinmay be able to configure and reconfigure installations of the system.For example, a fluid receiver unit that includes a pump may be replacedwith a fluid receiver unit with a different pump, e.g., a more reliablepump, a more powerful pump, a more efficient pump, a less expensivepump, and so forth, but without having to replace the fluid transferunit or the heat sink. The fluid receiver unit may be replaced by afluid receiver unit without a pump where the inlet port of the fluidreceiver unit is fluidically coupled to the output of an external pump.Similarly, a user may change the heat sink and a conforming manifoldinsert with a different heat sink and manifold insert without having toreplace the fluid receiver unit. If a replacement heat sink and manifoldinsert are configured to fluidically couple to a different fluidtransfer unit, then the fluid transfer unit may also be replaced withouthaving to replace the fluid receiver unit. Reconfiguring the installedsystem may include decoupling the component(s) to be replaced from theother unit and matingly engaging the replacement component to the otherunit.

VI. Other Exemplary Embodiments

The examples described above generally concern modular fluidic and heattransfer devices, assemblies and systems configured to cool one or moreelectronic components, such as, for example, integrated circuits.Nonetheless, other applications for disclosed heat transfer systems arecontemplated, together with any attendant changes in configuration ofthe disclosed apparatus. Incorporating the principles disclosed herein,it is possible to provide a wide variety of systems configured totransfer heat using a fluid circuit. For example, disclosed systems canbe used to transfer heat to or from components in a data center, lasercomponents, light-emitting diodes, chemical reactions, photovoltaiccells, solar collectors, and a variety of other industrial, military andconsumer devices now known and hereafter developed.

According to another aspect, a modular heat exchange system includes afluid receiver unit having a receiver housing defining an inlet port anda first fluid connector fluidically coupled with the inlet port. Thefirst fluid connector defines a corresponding first aperture. A fluidtransfer unit has a transfer housing defining an outlet port and asecond fluid connector fluidically coupled with the outlet port. Thesecond fluid connector defines a corresponding second aperture. Themodular heat exchange system also includes a cold plate. The first fluidconnector and the second fluid connector are configured to be matinglyengageable and disengageable with each other, fluidly coupling the firstaperture and the second aperture together. The fluid transfer unitfurther includes a manifold insert having a conduit fluidically coupledwith the second fluid connector aperture, and a manifold apertureconfigured to convey fluid from the conduit through the manifold insert.The cold plate is coupled to the fluid transfer unit and configured toreceive coolant from the manifold aperture. The fluid transfer unitfurther defines an outlet manifold to receive coolant from the coldplate and a conduit configured to convey the fluid from the outletmanifold to the outlet port. The fluid receiver unit and the fluidtransfer unit are configured to be detachably coupled together.

The receiver housing defines a receiver perimeter wall and a receivercoupling region substantially perpendicular to the receiver perimeterwall. The inlet port can be disposed in the receiver perimeter wall. Thefirst fluid connector can be disposed in the receiver coupling region.

The receiver perimeter wall can define a first perimeter edge and asecond perimeter edge parallel to the first perimeter edge. The inletport can protrude perpendicularly from the second perimeter edge and beco-planar with the receiver perimeter wall.

The transfer housing can define a coupling region and a transferperimeter wall. The coupling region can define a recess. The outlet portcan be disposed in the transfer perimeter wall. The second fluidconnector can be disposed on the coupling region. The second fluidconnector aperture can extend through the coupling region couplingregion.

The transfer perimeter wall can define a third perimeter edge and afourth perimeter edge parallel to the third perimeter edge. An aperturecan be configured to receive the inlet port when the fluid receivingunit and the fluid transfer unit are coupled together.

The first fluid connector can include a cylindrical support wall havinga first diameter. The first fluid connector aperture can have a seconddiameter smaller than the first diameter. The second fluid connector caninclude a cylindrical second fluid connector wall having a thirddiameter.

The third diameter can be larger than the first diameter and thecylindrical support wall can be configured to be positioned radiallyinward of the cylindrical second fluid connector wall when matinglyengaged with the second fluid connector.

The third diameter can be smaller than the first diameter and thecylindrical support wall can be configured to be positioned radiallyoutward of the cylindrical second fluid connector wall when matinglyengaged with the second fluid connector.

The first fluid connector can also include an inner wall extendingoutwardly from the first fluid connector aperture concentrically to andradially inward from the cylindrical support wall.

The first fluid connector and the second fluid connector, when matinglyengaged, can form a fluidically sealed transfer plenum.

The manifold insert can also include a plate defining the conduit as achannel fluidically coupled at a first end to the second fluid connectoraperture. A manifold chamber can be fluidically coupled at a first sideto a second end of the channel and configured to disperse fluid receivedfrom the channel to the manifold aperture. A compliant member can beadjacent the plate and partially define a recess generally coextensivewith the manifold aperture.

The heatsink can have a plurality of juxtaposed fins defining acorresponding plurality of microchannels between adjacent fins. Arecessed groove can extend transversely relative to the fins. Themanifold aperture and the groove together can define an inlet manifoldhydraulically coupling in parallel each of the microchannels to at leastone other of the microchannels.

The manifold aperture can be positioned above and parallel to therecessed groove of the heat sink. The compliant member can be furtherconfigured to contact the tops of the juxtaposed fins without contactingthe recessed groove.

The fluid receiver unit housing can define a pump volute having a bottomwall and a side wall. The bottom wall can define an inlet aperturefluidically coupled to the inlet port and an outlet aperture radiallyoutward from the inlet aperture. The outlet aperture can be fluidicallycoupled to the first fluid connector aperture. The fluid receiver unitcan also include an impeller positioned in the pump volute.

The bottom wall can also define a sloped surface from the bottom wall tothe outlet aperture configured to convey a fluid from the pump volute tothe outlet aperture.

According to another aspect, modular heat exchange system can include afluid receiver unit and a fluid transfer unit. The fluid receiver unitcan include a receiver housing having an inlet port and a first fluidconnector fluidically coupled to the inlet port. The first fluidconnector can define a first fluid connector aperture. The fluidtransfer unit can include a transfer housing having an outlet port and asecond fluid connector fluidically coupled to the outlet port. Thesecond fluid connector can define a second fluid connector aperture. Thefirst fluid connector and the second fluid connector can be configuredto be matingly engageable and disengageable, and configured to befluidically coupled when the first fluid connector and the second fluidconnector are so matingly engaged.

The fluid transfer unit can also include a manifold insert having aconduit that is fluidically coupled to the second fluid connectoraperture. The manifold insert can also have a manifold apertureconfigured to convey fluid from the conduit through the manifold insert.The fluid receiver unit and the fluid transfer unit can be configured tobe detachably coupled together.

The receiver housing can define a receiver perimeter wall and a receivercoupling region substantially perpendicular to the receiver perimeterwall. The inlet port can be disposed in the receiver perimeter wall. Thefirst fluid connector can be disposed in the receiver coupling regioncoupling region.

The receiver perimeter wall can define a first perimeter edge and asecond perimeter edge parallel to the first perimeter edge. The inletport can protrude perpendicularly from the second perimeter edge andco-planar with the receiver perimeter wall.

The transfer housing can define a coupling region and a transferperimeter wall. The coupling region can define a recess. The outlet portcan be disposed in the transfer perimeter wall. The second fluidconnector can be disposed on the coupling region coupling region. Thesecond fluid connector aperture can extend through the coupling region.

The transfer perimeter wall can define a third perimeter edge and afourth perimeter edge parallel to the third perimeter edge. An aperturecan be configured to receive the inlet port when the fluid receivingunit and the fluid transfer unit are coupled together.

The first fluid connector can include a cylindrical support wall havinga first diameter. The first fluid connector aperture can have a seconddiameter smaller than the first diameter. The second fluid connector caninclude a cylindrical second fluid connector wall having a thirddiameter.

The third diameter can be larger than the first diameter and thecylindrical support wall can be configured to be positioned radiallyinward of the cylindrical second fluid connector wall when matinglyengaged with the second fluid connector.

The third diameter can be smaller than the first diameter and thecylindrical support wall can be configured to be positioned radiallyoutward of the cylindrical second fluid connector wall when matinglyengaged with the second fluid connector.

The first fluid connector can also include an inner wall extendingoutwardly from the first fluid connector aperture concentrically to andradially inward from the cylindrical support wall. The first fluidconnector and the second fluid connector, when matingly engaged, canform a fluidically sealed transfer plenum.

The manifold insert can also include a plate defining the conduit as achannel fluidically coupled at a first end to the second fluid connectoraperture. a manifold chamber can be fluidically coupled at a first sideto a second end of the channel and configured to disperse fluid receivedfrom the channel to the manifold aperture. A compliant member can beadjacent the plate and partially define a recess generally coextensivewith the manifold aperture.

The fluid receiver unit housing can define a pump volute having a bottomwall and a side wall. The bottom wall can define an inlet aperturefluidically coupled to the inlet port and an outlet aperture radiallyoutward from the inlet aperture. The outlet aperture can be fluidicallycoupled to the first fluid connector aperture. The fluid receiver unitcan also include an impeller positioned in the pump volute. The bottomwall can also define a sloped surface from the bottom wall to the outletaperture configured to convey a fluid from the pump volute to the outletaperture.

According to another aspect, a modular heat exchange system includes afluid transfer unit and a heat sink. The fluid transfer unit can includea transfer housing having an outlet port and a fluid connectorfluidically coupled to the outlet port. The fluid connector can define afluid connector aperture, and the fluid connector can be configured toreceive a fluid. The transfer housing can be configured to be matinglyengageable and disengageable with a fluid receiver unit.

The fluid transfer unit can also include a manifold insert having aconduit that is fluidically coupled to the fluid connector aperture, anda manifold aperture configured to convey fluid from the conduit throughthe manifold insert. The heat sink can be coupled to the fluid transferunit and disposed adjacent the manifold insert. The heat sink can alsobe configured to reject heat from the heat sink to the fluid conveyedthrough the manifold aperture. The fluid transfer unit can convey thefluid to the outlet port.

The transfer housing can define a coupling region and a transferperimeter wall. The coupling region can define a recess. The outlet portcan be disposed in the transfer perimeter wall and the fluid connectorcan be disposed on the coupling region. The fluid connector aperture canextend through the coupling region.

The manifold insert also can include a plate, a manifold chamber, and acompliant member. The plate can define the conduit as a channelfluidically coupled at a first end to the second fluid connectoraperture. The manifold chamber can be fluidically coupled at a firstside to a second end of the channel and configured to disperse fluidreceived from the channel to the manifold aperture. The compliant membercan be adjacent the plate and partially define a recess generallycoextensive with the manifold aperture.

The heatsink can have a plurality of juxtaposed fins defining acorresponding plurality of microchannels between adjacent fins. Arecessed groove can extend transversely relative to the fins. Themanifold aperture and the groove together can define an inlet manifoldhydraulically coupling in parallel each of the microchannels to at leastone other of the microchannels.

The manifold aperture can be positioned above and parallel to therecessed groove of the heat sink.

The compliant member can be further configured to contact the tops ofthe juxtaposed fins without contacting the recessed groove.

According to yet another aspect, a fluid receiver unit can include afluid receiver housing having an inlet port and a fluid connectorfluidically coupled to the inlet port. The fluid connector can define afluid connector aperture. A pump volute can be defined in the fluidreceiver housing having a bottom wall and a side wall. The bottom wallcan define an inlet aperture fluidically coupled to the inlet port andan outlet aperture radially outward from the inlet aperture. The outletaperture can be fluidically coupled to the fluid connector aperture. Animpeller can be positioned in the pump volute. The bottom wall can alsodefine a sloped surface from the bottom wall to the outlet apertureconfigured to convey a fluid from the pump volute to the outletaperture.

Directions and references (e.g., up, down, top, bottom, left, right,rearward, forward, etc.) may be used to facilitate discussion of thedrawings but are not intended to be limiting. For example, certain termsmay be used such as “up,” “down,”, “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,”“vertical,” “left,” “right,” and the like. Such terms are used, whereapplicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing withrelative relationships, particularly with respect to the illustratedembodiments. Such terms are not, however, intended to imply absoluterelationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respectto an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply byturning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same surface andthe object remains the same. As used herein, “and/or” means “and” or“or”, as well as “and” and “or.” Moreover, all patent and non-patentliterature cited herein is hereby incorporated by references in itsentirety for all purposes.

The principles described above in connection with any particular examplecan be combined with the principles described in connection with any oneor more of the other examples. Accordingly, this detailed descriptionshall not be construed in a limiting sense, and following a review ofthis disclosure, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thewide variety of modular fluid heat exchange systems that can be devisedusing the various concepts described herein. Moreover, those of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that the exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein can be adapted to various configurations withoutdeparting from the disclosed principles.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosedinnovations. Various modifications to those embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claimed inventions are notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but are to beaccorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims,wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of thearticle “a” or “an” is not intended to mean “one and only one” unlessspecifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. All structural andfunctional equivalents to the elements of the various embodimentsdescribed throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to beknown to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to beencompassed by the elements of the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosedherein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whethersuch disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element isto be construed under the provisions of 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph,unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or“step for”.

Thus, in view of the many possible embodiments to which the disclosedprinciples can be applied, it should be recognized that theabove-described embodiments are only examples and should not be taken aslimiting in scope. I therefore reserve all rights to the subject matterdisclosed herein, including the right to claim all that comes within thescope and spirit of the following claims, as well as all aspects of anyinnovation shown or described herein.

1. A modular heat exchange assembly comprising: a fluid receiver unitcomprising a receiver housing defining an inlet port and a first fluidconnector fluidically coupled with the inlet port, wherein the firstfluid connector defines a corresponding first aperture; a fluid transferunit comprising a transfer housing defining an outlet port and a secondfluid connector, wherein the second fluid connector defines acorresponding second aperture, the second fluid connector being matinglyengageable with and disengageable from the first fluid connector tofluidly couple the first aperture and the second aperture together todefine a segment of a fluid passageway leading from the fluid receiverunit to the fluid transfer unit; a cold plate coupled with the fluidtransfer unit, the cold plate defining a finned surface and acorresponding plurality of microchannels, wherein selected ones of theplurality of microchannels extend from a first end to an opposed secondend, wherein the fluid transfer unit defines: a distribution manifoldfluidically coupled with the second aperture and configured todistribute coolant received from the fluid passageway among the selectedmicrochannels at a position between the first ends and the second endsof the selected microchannels, a collection manifold configured toreceive coolant from the selected microchannels, wherein the collectionmanifold and the outlet port are fluidically coupled together. 2.-24.(canceled)